The English striker has suffered a torrid time at Liverpool since the arrival of new manager Brendan Rogers who sent the 23-year-old out on loan at West Ham United this season after deducing him to be surplus to requirements at Anfield under his new system.

The frontman failed to fulfil the potential gauged by his £35 million price-tag when he switched from the North East in 2011.

Subsequently the out-of-favour striker has seen his career derailed and his confidence shot to pieces – he has yet to score in any of his 5 appearances for West Ham this season.

But Alan Pardew has re-issued his backing to the striker who he claims he will chase should he become available for transfer in the near future.

"He's a Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he's going to move permanently,” stated the Newcastle boss.

He continued,

"I'd like to think we'll be in the mix for that."

His comment swill no doubt offer a lifeline to the young striker who made his name in front of the Toon faithful – making 80 senior appearances and scoring an impressive 31 goals in all competitions.

"Big Andy hopefully one day will want to come back and certainly I'd like to have them both in my squad now because we would be stronger for it,” Pardew added.

However, should Carroll make a return to St James’ Park, he’d find a much stronger attacking line-up than the one he left just over a year ago – Demba Ba is the joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League and provided a formidable attacking force alongside Pappis Cisse.

The Newcastle coach also hinted at the unlikeliness of Newcastle being able to afford to return their £35 million to Liverpool – Carroll’s value has significantly diminished in his lack of form, fitness and prosperity at Anfield and no one is likely to want to spend that amount of money on what many regard as a £35 million ‘flop’.

"But obviously finances restrict me from doing that," he added.

"The position we are in, if I'm honest, is because we used the money from Andy's sale well.”

The boss shrewdly re-invested the money from his transfer into quality squad and first-team players.

"He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him.”

Perhaps Carroll can repay the debt Liverpool by ‘putting himself in the shop window’ through his industry and a run of good performances at West Ham which would possibly see his value increase across the course of his loan period.

One way or another, it seems the Englishman’s fortunes lay away from Merseyside – but it would seem a return to the North East is the likeliest destination or him presently.

Jenny Leigh

Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.